Ready to Wear

Ready To Wear

Tips for building a

budget-friendly wardrobe for the

office environment

New Job…No Money…

No Problem

Okay so you’ve recently started a new job

after having been unemployed for a while

and your wardrobe isn’t exactly fresh…not to

worry. Today there are so many options out

there to make even the tired refreshed.

7/10/2014 2Published by: Cynthia M. Tedder,

Administrative Professional

Business Casual, Business Professional,

Contemporary…Oh My!

There are a number of variations on office

attire and I urge you to check your

companies dress code policy before you

decide to go on a shopping spree. If you

haven’t officially started the job yet, your

best bet is to contact the hiring manager for

the policy so you can be ready.



• Business Casual – most companies today have adopted this policy. It is a basic ‘slacks and nice top’ way of dressing.

– For men, typically Dockers pants and a button down or polo shirt.

– For women, slacks or skirt (to the knee is most accepted) with a flattering (although not revealing) top. And, usually in crisp, moderate colors, such as blacks, grays, blues, and tans – however, pinks; purples and greens are making their debut in certain circles.

7/10/2014Published by: Cynthia M. Tedder,

Administrative Professional4

• Business Professional – this is a more

formal style for more formal companies.

– For men, typically a suit with jacket and tie is

acceptable.

– For women, a suit with a jacket that buttons

and a collard blouse is most accepted.



• Contemporary or Casual – this can be the

most comfortable, and not often seen,

style of dress code.

– For men, jeans, shorts (in the warmer

months); polo shirts; comfortable shoes is

more accepted

– For women, jeans or Capri's and coordinated

tops can be worn. Often accompanied by flip-

flops or open-toed sandals.



• Start small – You may already have some of the basics like

slacks, tops, but if not you can typically pick a few at a time. Pick up a pair of black, grey and tan pants and at least one pair of good, comfortable (low-heeled for women) shoes and a few button down shirts/blouses in corresponding colors: blue, white, etc.

• Shop smart– The best time to buy season specific clothing

(i.e.: spring dresses & skirts) would be at the end of the season you want them for. I know this sounds odd, but you’d be buying them for the following year and buying them off-season means savings.

• Save big– Shop the clearance rack. Don’t let that shock you

– there are a ton of great deals to be had at a good clearance rack. Kohl’s, JCPenny’s and Sears often mark down their end of season goods sometimes up to 60% (or higher)



Do• Go shopping for your wardrobe alone…avoid

taking your children (if at all possible). Going alone ensures you can pay attention to you…taking your children ensures you spend more time calming, cleaning, catching, feeding or finding them.

• Check for on-line deals and coupons prior to your shopping trip. Store like Kohl’s and K-mart will advertise online any discounts going on in-store and may even offer a printable coupon for you.

• Dig out your rewards card. If you have one, use it…store like Sears/K-mart often offer extended discounts to customers through these cards and every little bit helps.

• Try it on! Can’t stress this enough…you are going to be wearing these clothes for up to 9 hours a day so take some time in the fitting room to see how the pants feel to sit in, and how long the sleeve length will be.



Don’t• Fuss if you can’t get everything you see

yourself in…we are not made of money and no one has a magic money tree in bloom…trust me, there are plenty of other people at the office not worrying if they’re wearing K-mart shoes, or Wal-mart pants.

• Get crazy and wild patterns – at least until you are more comfortable with the culture of your new company…will they be (are they) accepting of your wild & crazy personality and would they think it wrong if you ‘spruced’ up your wardrobe?

• Ladies, this one is for you…don’t wear shoes with a heel height greater than 2 inches. By the end of a nine hour day those shoes may look pretty but they certainly won’t feel pretty after having pinched, squeezed and contorted your toes for the day.



Wardrobes By the Seasons



• For Women:– Spring/Summer: light

and airy, colorful and

vibrant

– Fall/Winter: hushed

tones, warmer in

nature

• For Men:

– Spring/Summer: light

colors and fabrics,

subtly playful

– Fall/Winter: muted

tones, graduated

seriousness



The Power of the Accessory!Accessories can add a lot of voice to what you wear so ensure you can coordinate what you may already have so you don’t incur any additional expenses.

• Scarves are great – not only will they look fabulous but they’ll add warmth in the colder months.

•Earrings & Other Jewelry – while pretty, if too big, or vibrant they may just come off as gaudy. Stick with standard hoops, studs or small dangling earrings and basic necklaces/bracelets.

•Ties – yes, even a tie can be an accessory…but, guys, really, no one wants to see you wearing the Santa Claus tie in the middle of May so unless you’re having an office party for ‘Christmas in May’ keep that one at home.



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